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Commuter Spotlight

My name is Rob Vena and I currently live in Hackensack, NJ. I was born and raised in New Jersey, but later went on to live in several other states, including Arizona, California, Texas, and Florida. I also spent four years living abroad while serving in the U.S. Navy as an airborne Russian language crypto-linguist for the Naval Security Group in Atsugi, Japan. But being the true Jersey boy that I am, I always returned to the place I love. The Jersey Shore, New York City, and the experience of the four seasons have always been a major part of the draw for me to come back home.

I actually started taking the ferry as a fluke, back in 2008, on a day when the PATH train I usually rode into the city was delayed due to a tunnel fire. At the time, I had no idea how I was going to get where I was going, and I blindly followed the other commuters into the Hoboken Ferry Terminal and onto the boat. Once we were out on the water, flying across the Hudson, I wondered how it was that I had never taken this more enjoyable mode of transportation into the city before… especially since I have always loved being out on the water (which is why I joined the Navy back in the 1980’s)! I have found the ferry to be a very reliable mode of transportation, and an entirely different experience from riding the train system. And although my office is located in NYC’s Flatiron District, I still ride the ferry over to Wall Street a few times a week, just for the sheer enjoyment of it.

I am a Licensed Acupuncturist in the State of New York and a Nationally Board Certified Herbalist (Chinese herbal formulas). I am currently in private practice in NYC and consider myself fortunate to be in a profession that allows me to help others on a daily basis. I find a great deal of joy in helping others experience health and wellness, and consider this to be my life’s work.

I am also an amateur photographer. And in fact, one of my favorite subjects of late has been the NY Waterway Ferry and the area surrounding the Hoboken Terminal, both of which I greatly enjoy photographing. I also enjoy martial arts, meditation, oil painting, music, traveling, and being outdoors… especially on or near the water.